Annual Summer Seminar

2010: Globalizing Religions: Conflict or Conflict Resolution?

The Institute on Culture, Religion, and World Affairs (CURA) at Boston University conducted an annual summer seminar. It was organized by the well-known sociologist of religion Peter L. Berger, and co-sponsored with the School of Theology of Boston University, under the guidance of Dean John Berthrong. The seminar was generously funded by the Henry Luce Foundation’s Henry R. Initiative on Religion and International Affairs.

The program was an intensive two-week seminar on special topics in religion and world affairs. The 2010 program was the last program funded. It ran June 13-25, 2010, and it examined the world’s major religious traditions, in each case asking the following questions: How has each tradition globalized? Has it contributed to conflict or conflict resolution? The seminar was designed for professional residents of the United States, with some coming from abroad, who were concerned with the international role of religion in politics, economics and social change. Those particularly encouraged to apply were journalists, policy analysts (in or out of government), and educators.

The program was taught by a combination of faculty from Boston University and other universities, as well as by active or former members of the foreign policy community.

CURA provided housing and meals for all participants. Travel fellowships were available on a competitive basis.